“Tyre usage is something we had to pay close attention to during 2006, and while the rules offer a little more freedom this year, it will still play an important part in how we plan our race weekend,"
Renault's Pat Symonds says, "Using two types of tyre during the race is not a huge change. The impact will vary from weekend to weekend, and its severity will depend on whether or not the softer tyre is marginal on the circuit in question, or in the prevailing conditions. Just as with any other strategic factor, though, there will be an optimum way to run the race – and most of the teams will arrive at that optimum point pretty quickly.
“It is a very good thing indeed that spectators will be able to distinguish between the tyres types. It makes the sport easier to understand, it’s more transparent, and that’s a good thing, but, for the teams, it makes very little difference, as we all used our resources to obtain this information anyway. Now, we will be able to invest that energy elsewhere.”
Engines:
The new season also sees
Formula One enter a period of engine homologation during which the sealed perimeter of the engine will remain unchanged for the period between 2007-10 inclusive.
All engines are based on the units used at the 2006 Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, although approved modifications to specified areas of the engine were permitted, at the discretion of the
FIA, to re-tune the units for a new maximum rev limit of 19,000rpm. As in 2006, all engines must be 2.4-litre V8s in design.
Where mileage was strictly controlled in recent seasons to ensure that engines lasted through the two-race requirement, usage is now free during the Friday free practice sessions in order to encourage increased on-track activity. An engine must still last for two consecutive events but, for the purposes of engine usage, an 'event' is deemed to comprise third practice, qualifying and the race. This means engines will be changed after P2, in preparation for running on Saturday and Sunday.
